Just Want to Say...

                                ...I love my brothers :)

                   

It's the little things that matter in the long run.

Taking my nieces and nephew outside...
Blowing up an endless amount of balloons...
Teaching them how to play Canadian duck-duck-goose...
Playing "big kid" bubble chase...
Laying on the grass, staring up at a cloudless sky...
Sighting a hawk circling up above us...
Leaning up against each other, defining "blog"...
Discussing the virtues of the Asian pear, verses the Bartlett variety...

It's the little things.
These little moments...
These little moments...

These little moments that bind our hearts together will prove to be strongholds later in life. They bring us closer together, for longer.

It reminds me of a verse in the Bible. "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much..."
If I am faithful to take the time to listen to the "least" of their thoughts, take an interest in the "least" of their passing fancies, they will trust me with the "much" things in their lives when they get older.

Lord, keep me faithful in the least things, so that I can be faithful in much.

God's Heroes

I read this recently in a devotional called Streams in the Desert, compiled by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman. It's quite a thought:

   "And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord reaised up a deliverer...who delivered them, even Othniel...Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him." (Judges 3:9, 10)
   God is preparing His heroes; and when opportunity comes, He can fit them into their place in a moment, and the world will wonder where they came from.
   Let the Holy Ghost prepare you, dear friend, by the discipline of life; and when the last finishing touch has been given to the marble, it will be easy for God to put it on the pedestal, and fit it into its niche.
   There is a day coming when, like Othniel, we, too, shall judge the nations, and rule and reign with Christ...But ere that glorious day can be we must let god prepare us, as He did Othniel at Kirjath-Sepher, amid the trials of our present life, and the little victories, the significance of which, perhaps, we little dream. At least, let us be sure of this, and if the Holy Ghost has an Othniel ready, the Lord of Heaven and Earth has a throne prepared for him.
                                      ~A.B. Simpson

Soap Business

Hello my friends,

I'd like to introduce you to my soap business- Simple Soaps, Etc. 

If you're interested in a sample bar, just email me and I can send you one for the cost of shipping.

Sheep- Destined for the Alter

I've been reading Shadow of the Almighty- The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot. It's an amazing book, one that I recommend to everyone. Yesterday, I read an amazing paragraph that became my "thought of the day". It really could become my "thought of a lifetime"...it is so profound.

"'We are the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and joy.' And what are sheep doing going into the gate? What is their purpose inside those courts? To bleat melodies and enjoy the company of the flock? No. Those sheep were destined for the altar. Their pasture feeding had been for one purpose, to test them and fatten them for sacrifice. Give Him thanks, then, that you have been counted worthy of His altars. Enter into the work with praise."

Hiccups

     "Drats."
     "Drats? Oh, I see," my mother laughed. "I'm sorry."
     I tried to respond with a "thank you", but was interupted by another hiccup. Mama laughed even harder.
     I have been plagued by hiccups since before I was born. That means I have had them for just over 20 years, and I'm only 19! Not only that, but I get them about twice a week. It gets really annoying.
     I'm often tempted to complain, but then I get a thought. It's a funny thought I know, but a thought none the less. Jesus got hiccups. Maybe not as often as I do, but He got them, and He didn't complain. That thought usually puts a smile on my face, and a prayer in my heart.
     "Thank You Lord for taking upon Yourself my infirmities."

Reflections on a Sunrise

This morning, as I looked out my window, I saw the sunrise. There were brilliant hues of gold and burgundy, with a border of Arizona sky blue. It was gorgeous.

After looking at it for a minute, I noticed that the western sky was also colored. It was a dusty rose color. I like dusty colors, so I found it pretty, but not as awe-inspiring as the eastern sky. The eastern sky was reflecting the rays of the sun, whereas the western sky was reflecting the reflection of the sun. The real sunrise as more lovely...more...more...there aren't words for it, it was just so beautiful! The western sky was nothing in comparison. It lacked the luster and brilliance of the real sunrise.

As I stood there, I thought about how this happens to people. Some people have Jesus in their lives. You can see it in their actions, their words, their very facial expressions. The sky of their lives have the Son of Righteousness rising every morning. They have the brilliance of knowing God and reflecting Him to others.

Then there are "western-sky-at-6:15-am" people. They reflect the people who reflect God. "Westerners" wear the "right" clothes, say the "right" words, even pick the "right" careers, but they don't reflect God. They do what the "Easterners" do.

I've seen...no, I've been a "Westerner". I know from experience, they aren't happy. There is something missing in their life. They try imitating the sunrise but they are missing the most important part...the sun! We can never have the joy of reflecting God if we are reflecting the people who know God without having God in our own lives.

I have "tasted and see[n] that the Lord is good". Nothing compares to having Him rising in my life. Let's all make a point of letting the Son of God be the sun of our lives.

Welcome!

Welcome to Diamond Cornerstones! Due to time constraints, my brother and I decided to write in separate blogs, and post in Two Minds Are Better Than One every once in a while. I hope you like my blog, and also check out Daniel's blog while you're online!